Heart Health Archive

Research we're watching

To encourage heart-healthy habits, a picture may be worth a thousand words, suggests a study published online Dec. 3, 2018, by The Lancet.

The study included more than 3,100 people ages 40 to 60 with at least one risk factor for heart disease. All participants received standard care to prevent heart disease, including medications (if needed) and advice about lifestyle factors. But half were given a drawing depicting the amount of plaque in their neck arteries, along with a gauge ranging from green to red to illustrate their biological age (based on their blood vessel health) compared with their actual age. Nurses called them with follow-up information, and their doctors also got the images.

Research we're watching

Living in a leafy, green neighborhood may lead to lower levels of some telltale markers for heart disease and stroke, new research suggests.

During the five-year study, researchers collected blood and urine samples from 408 people recruited from a cardiology clinic in Louisville, Ky. The researchers also estimated green space exposure using satellite imagery that showed the vegetation density in each of the participants' neighborhoods.

A "type 2" heart attack caused by severely restricted blood flow can be just as serious as a heart attack caused by a sudden complete blockage.

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In TV shows and movies, a man having a heart attack typically clutches his chest and falls to the ground, but most heart attacks are not nearly as dramatic.

"No two heart attacks are the same, nor do they strike in similar fashion," says Dr. Krishna Aragam, a cardiologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. "Some heart attacks are subtler in their warnings, but can be just as serious and even deadly if they are not attended to."

Research we're watching

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A tendon that stretches between your heel and your calf may tell you something about your cardiovascular health. Researchers found that people with thicker Achilles tendons have more significant coronary artery disease and are at higher risk for a heart attack than those with thinner tendons.

The study, which was presented in November 2018 at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions meeting in Chicago, found that people with thicker Achilles tendons were more likely to have a blocked heart artery and left main coronary artery disease, which is associated with a high risk of heart disease and death. It's unclear, however, exactly why this artery was thicker in these individuals.

Image: Thinkstock

News briefs

Better cardiovascular health may substantially lower your risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to a study in the November 2018 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. PAD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the legs become narrowed or blocked with fatty deposits. About 8.5 million Americans suffer from the condition, which typically causes cramping pain in the legs when walking. For the study, researchers evaluated adherence to the American Heart Association's "Life's Simple 7" guidelines among almost 13,000 people who were free from PAD or other cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. More than 430 PAD cases occurred in this group over about 24 years. Compared with people who did not follow Life's Simple 7, those with average and optimal adherence cut their risk of PAD by 64% and 91%, respectively. Life's Simple 7 emphasizes managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, reducing blood sugar, getting sufficient physical activity, eating better, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.

Preparing your own plant-based meals — focused on beans, grains, and veggies — is easier than you think.

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Eating more plant-based foods has many advantages, especially for your heart. But even with the best of intentions, many people find the transition to plant-centric meals a little daunting. Take for instance the daily dilemma of deciding what's for dinner. Where do you even begin?

Instead of trying to cook an entire vegetarian meal from scratch, start with one small step and build from there, says Dr. Rani Polak, founding director of the Culinary Healthcare Education Fundamentals (CHEF) Coaching program at Harvard's Institute of Lifestyle Medicine (see "What is lifestyle medicine?").

Ask the doctor

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Q. After I experienced a few fainting episodes, I was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome. My doctor says I might need a pacemaker. Can you tell me more about this condition?

A. Despite the name, sick sinus syndrome has nothing to do with your nasal passages. Instead, it refers to various heartbeat irregularities that can cause dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath. Most cases are due to age-related changes in the heart muscle that disrupt the heart's electrical system. Sometimes, another form of heart disease or medication that slows the heart is to blame. Sick sinus syndrome is most common in people in their 70s and 80s.